UFOIC Newsletter - No 34 March-April 1972

Magazine Overview

This issue of the U.F.O.I.C. NEWSLETTER, Volume 4, Number 34, dated March/April 1972, is a bi-monthly publication from Sydney, Australia. It features a cover headline posing the question 'WOULD YOU BELIEVE..... UFOLOGISTS?' by J. Graham COWELL, and includes a price of 20c.

Editorial

The editorial, written by Thomas House (VE7BHN), reflects on the first public meeting of 1972 held on February 1st, which was attended by 120 people. The meeting featured a display of books from the association's library. The President, Mr. Phillips, outlined the progress of UFO research since before World War II, noting the evidence from reputable witnesses and the vast amount of literature on the subject. The editorial emphasizes the importance of maintaining an 'open mind' when investigating UFO reports, acknowledging that many theories exist due to the lack of definitive answers. It also touches upon the historical context of scientific truths initially being ridiculed before becoming accepted, drawing a parallel to current UFO research. The editor mentions Mr. John M. Prytz's experience in the U.S. Air Force, where he openly discussed UFOs without issue, and his comments on the Mars Probes and future Jupiter probes. A specific sighting by a gentleman from the Parramatta area, who observed a bright light moving across the sky for nine consecutive nights through his telescope, is also highlighted. Mr. Moser presented slides of moon rocks and UFO photos (both real and fake). The next meeting on April 4th features Mr. Minnette of C.S.I.R.O. discussing '150 inch Telescope'.

Office Bearers

The newsletter lists the office bearers of the U.F.O.I.C., including President Mr. F.J. Phillips, Senior Vice-President Mr. T.W. Dutton, Vice-President & Sightings Officer Mr. T.V. Homan, Vice-President & Hon. Gen. Secretary Mr. W.E. Moser, Treasurer Mr. H. O'Brien, and various secretaries, advisers, and committee members.

Meetings and Events

Details are provided for upcoming meetings: a Public Meeting in Adyar Hall on April 4th with Mr. Minette of C.S.I.R.O. discussing '150 inch Telescope', and a Members Meeting in the Commonweal Club on May 6th with Mrs. Anne Spanswick speaking on 'Mind Dynamics'. Social meetings are scheduled for May 6th, July 1st, June 6th, and August 1st. Information is also available for the 11th Australian Science Fiction Convention from August 11th-13th in Sydney.

The Library

The U.F.O.I.C. Library has moved to a new address: 2 Iredale Street, Newtown, N.S.W. 2042. Librarian Mr. Ken McGuffin manages the borrowing of books, with members allowed to borrow two books for one month, with possible extensions. The library is divided into two sections: one for UFO subjects and another for related fields like astronomy and history. The newsletter also requests donations of old book-shelves.

Sighting Reports

Several sighting reports are included:

• Excerpt from Mr. D. of Surry Hills (7.2.72): Describes two bright objects seen while camping, moving across the sky, one descending to about 200 feet, pulsing red, then turning brilliant orange before rejoining the other object. They then ascended and disappeared. The object was estimated to be 100 feet wide and 95 feet high, with red lights on the bottom and one on top.
• Report from Mr. D. of Grafton, N.S.W. (9.12.71): A university friend observed a yellow UFO traversing the sky over the University at about 9:30 p.m. on October 6th, 1971. It was not flashing and ascended high into the sky, ruling out a satellite or plane. The same friend later saw a cigar-shaped UFO over Earle Page College on October 21st, also travelling North to South, described as metallic and not flashing.
• Extract from 'The Scandinavian Newsletter' (April 1971): Reidar Salvesen reported meeting a 'flying saucer' while driving. He saw a dazzling, circular, smooth, bright object, like nickel-plated, noiseless and without light. It glided forward, stopped, and then ascended rapidly, causing his car's front pane to smash. The object then turned into a fireball and disappeared.
• Report from Mr. A. of Coff's Harbour (19.11.71): A fast-moving object, bright as a star, was observed moving from South-East to North-West, curving over the sea, and then inland before disappearing East. Its altitude was constant, and no sound was heard.
• Sighting reported by school boy A.B. from Wahroonga: A disc with star-pointed protrusions was seen emitting light in all directions. It appeared metallic, had no wings or portholes, and trailed bluish-grey smoke. It moved up and down before disappearing.
• Report from Mr. D. of North Sydney, N.S.W. (16.12.71): A very bright light, initially star-like, became brilliant and moved North to South. Upon the appearance of an aircraft, the light accelerated suddenly and shot away with trailing flames.

Unidentified Radio Signals (URS)

Thomas House discusses a potential facet of the UFO phenomenon: Unidentified Radio Signals (URS). He recounts the 1953 incident where BBC TV pictures in England were blotted out by the identification sign of KLEE, a Texas TV station whose license had expired two years prior. He questions if this was an alien satellite attempting to attract attention by rebroadcasting defunct transmissions. Another case involves a UFO hovering in eastern Canada, during which a strong, undecipherable radio carrier signal was detected. The author also shares personal experiences of hearing mysterious, untraceable interference on short-wave bands, which he eventually pinpointed as originating from North Africa. He speculates about potential extraterrestrial sources in the Sahara desert, while also acknowledging that many strange signals in modern communication systems are man-made.

Other Information

The issue includes a report on the International Conference on Communication with Extraterrestrial Intelligence held in Soviet Armenia, attended by 56 delegates, which concluded that searching radio wavelengths is the most promising approach. It also mentions the availability of UFO Symposium Booklets from the Aerial Phenomena Research Organisation (APRO).

Membership and Fees

Members are reminded to pay their 1972 fees. Full Membership is $5.00, while Senior Citizens and Students pay $2.00. The Hon. Secretary, Mr. Moser, is also seeking a copy of Newsletter No. 26.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the reporting and investigation of UFO sightings, the philosophical implications of ufology (emphasizing open-mindedness), and the exploration of potential extraterrestrial communication methods, including radio signals. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging the collection of data and the consideration of all possibilities, while maintaining a grounded approach ('keep our feet firmly on good old Mother Earth'). The association actively promotes its activities through meetings and its library, seeking to engage both existing and new members.